Taxi Rides, Multiball Madness, and a Flawless Run: The Speakeasy Special

Hey there, pinball wizards and flipper fanatics! It’s your trusty guide, the Bride of Pinbot, back with another deep dive into the vibrant world of pinball. This time, we’re recapping the electrifying “Speakeasy Special” tournament held at the ever-impressive Sparks Pinball Museum & Arcade. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s relive the highlights of this unforgettable evening.

A Night to Remember: The Speakeasy Special Tournament

On the chilly evening of February 7, 2025, with temperatures dipping to a brisk 26°F, 39 dedicated pinball enthusiasts gathered at Sparks Pinball Museum & Arcade for the “Speakeasy Special.” Each player faced off in 12 intense head-to-head games, all vying for a coveted spot in the top 8. Now, about those finals—0 rounds with 0 games? Sounds like someone let the gremlins into the tournament software. A little investigation might be in order to sort out that digital hiccup.

Discovering the Gem: Sparks Pinball Museum & Arcade

Nestled on the second floor inside Oakland Mall at 412 W 14 Mile Rd, Troy, MI, Sparks Pinball Museum & Arcade is a haven for pinball lovers. Boasting over 45 machines, both vintage classics and the latest releases, it’s one of the largest public pinball collections in the Midwest. The spacious layout ensures you never feel cramped, even on the busiest nights. Plus, with attentive staff and meticulously maintained machines, it’s no wonder visitors are raving about their experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newbie, Sparks offers an immersive pinball adventure that’s hard to beat.

Mastering the Madness: How to Play Taxi

One machine that stood out during the tournament was Williams’ Taxi (1988), which clocked in with the longest average game time—13 minutes per round. That means players were either dominating the table or furiously battling for control. Here’s how to keep your passengers—and your score—soaring:

• Objective: The goal of Taxi is to pick up five unique passengers: Pinbot (hey, that’s my husband!), Gorbie, Lola, Santa, and Dracula. Once all are aboard, make your way to the airport for a lucrative jackpot.
• Skill Shot: At the start, plunge the ball to light the “Carry Passengers” feature, which lets you collect passengers without directly hitting their respective targets.
• Multiball Strategy: Lock two balls to initiate multiball mode. During this high-stakes phase, jackpots become available—so keep those balls in play as long as possible.
• High-Scoring Techniques: Prioritize picking up passengers in sequence to maximize efficiency. The “Express Lane” and ramps are crucial for advancing the game quickly while boosting your score.

A well-played game of Taxi is all about precision. Missed shots lead to bricked returns, which can mean an early trip to the outlanes if you’re not careful. Those who managed long ball times in this tournament clearly had their shots dialed in.

Classic and Quirky: Standout Machines from the Tournament

With 47 machines in play, there was no shortage of variety, from electromechanical classics to some of the greatest solid-state and DMD-era tables. Here are some of the standout games from the lineup:

• Happy Clown (Gottlieb, 1964) – An electromechanical relic from pinball’s golden age, Happy Clown features classic artwork, mechanical reels, and simple yet challenging gameplay. This was a test of pure flipper skill—no ramps, no multiball, just precise nudging and shot placement.

• Freedom (EM) (Bally, 1976) – This bicentennial-themed table was Bally’s last electro-mechanical release before transitioning fully to solid-state systems. With a unique playfield layout and bonus countdown features, Freedom rewards strategic play over random flipper bashing.

• The Party Zone (Bally, 1991) – A spiritual sequel to Elvira and the Party Monsters and Dr. Dude, The Party Zone throws players into a neon-drenched fever dream of wacky characters and chaotic multiball action. This machine’s “Happy Hour” mode is where big points stack up, making it a key moment in tournament play.

• Rolling Stones (Bally, 1979) – This machine captures the essence of the legendary band with fast shots, a moving target feature, and a soundtrack that, unfortunately, does not include any actual Rolling Stones music. What it lacks in audio, it makes up for in challenging, unforgiving gameplay.

• King Pin (Gottlieb, 1973) – A rare title where pinball meets bowling, King Pin requires players to “knock down” virtual pins with precise target shots. Classic EM-style gameplay makes this machine a true test of flipper control.

• Firepower (Williams, 1980) – One of the most important solid-state games of all time, Firepower introduced features that would become pinball staples, like lane change, ball-locking for multiball, and dynamic sound effects. Its speed and difficulty make it a favorite in competitive play.

• Cyclone (Williams, 1988) – A spiritual successor to Comet, this amusement park-themed game features the famous Ferris wheel ball lift, Spook House mystery awards, and a ramp-heavy playfield. Players who mastered the Comet ramp were able to rack up serious points.

• Attack from Mars (Bally, 1995) – One of the most celebrated pinball games ever made, Attack from Mars is a high-speed, humor-filled game that challenges players to take down Martian invaders. The key to scoring big lies in the Saucer Shot and stacking the multiball modes.

• Party Animal (Bally, 1987) – The precursor to The Party Zone, this machine features a bizarre cast of characters and an infamous Happy Hour mode, where point values shoot up for a limited time.

Celebrating the Champions

The competition was fierce, but eight players managed to rise above the rest. Here’s how the top contenders navigated the chaos of The Speakeasy Special.

1. Marco Vendetti – The night belonged to Marco, who outlasted the competition to take home the victory. With over 260 tournaments under his belt, he might not have been the highest-ranked player in the field, but experience paid off. A strong, consistent performance in head-to-head play set him up for success, and when it mattered most, he delivered.

2. Jared August – One of Michigan’s top players and currently ranked 6th in the world, Jared was the odds-on favorite heading into the night. While he fell just short of the win, his deep tournament experience showed as he breezed through most of the head-to-head rounds. A second-place finish might not be what he was aiming for, but it only adds to his impressive competitive resume.

3. Tyrus Eagle – Coming from Ypsilanti, Tyrus played with a mix of aggression and precision, showing why he’s a force to be reckoned with in Michigan pinball. Ranked 33rd in the state, he held his own against some of the region’s best and claimed third place. With over 160 events to his name, this performance was another strong showing in an already growing career.

4. Andy Raisanen – A player with fewer tournament appearances compared to some of the others in the top four, Andy played smart and steady all night. Ranked outside the top 3,000 globally, he punched well above his weight, proving that rankings aren’t everything when you’ve got a solid game plan and a hot flipper hand.

5. Scott Sheahan – Representing Detroit, Scott’s road to the top five was anything but easy. As the lowest-ranked player in the top five, he played spoiler all night, knocking off some tough competition and making a deep run. With only 42 total tournament appearances before this, this finish is a statement that he’s a player to watch going forward.

6. Tim Carpenter – A veteran of the Michigan pinball scene, Tim has played in nearly 450 IFPA events, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. Though he didn’t crack the top five, his knowledge of different machines and adaptability kept him in the fight. His ability to grind through challenging matchups was key to securing a strong sixth-place finish.

7. Brandon Boltz – Traveling in from Toledo, OH, Brandon made the trip count, breaking into the top eight despite competing against a strong Michigan-heavy field. Ranked 67th in the state, he wasn’t a frontrunner, but he proved he could hang with the best. With only 20 total IFPA events, he’s just getting started, and this tournament showed he has serious potential.

8. Rick Zoellner – Rounding out the top eight, Rick put in a strong showing despite not being as well known on the competitive circuit. Sitting outside the top 9,500 in global rankings, he proved that any given night can be anyone’s game. Whether this finish is the start of a breakout or just a fun highlight, he showed that he’s capable of competing with some of the best.

Michigan’s Finest: IFPA Top 10 Standings

Here’s a snapshot of the top pinball wizards in Michigan:

Wrapping Up the Flippin’ Fun

The Speakeasy Special delivered high-energy competition, tight matchups, and some unforgettable moments. A big thank you to tournament organizer Joe Wade for keeping the event running smoothly (finals glitch notwithstanding), and to Sparks Pinball Museum & Arcade for hosting yet another great night of competitive pinball. Congratulations to Marco Vendetti for taking home the win, and to all the players who made this a night to remember.

Stay tuned for more pinball updates, tournament recaps, and deep dives into the silver ball universe. Until next time—keep flipping!